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Sailing to Ensenada, Mexico for some boat work (August 2025)
28 September 2025 · 22 min · 1K views · Ensenada, Baja California
Sailing vessel at sunrise with Navy ship distant
What this video covers
A Valiant Yachts 40-2 sailed from San Pedro, California, to Ensenada, Mexico, for maintenance at Baja Naval.0:13 During the 116-nautical-mile passage, the crew motor-sailed while managing heavy commercial traffic, including radar tracking of a cargo ship not visible on AIS.1:42 Upon arrival, the owner addressed engine cooling issues caused by a broken raw water pump impeller, which had shed blades into the heat exchanger.10:21 Repairs included flushing the cooling system, replacing the impeller, and installing a new zinc.13:11 The boat also underwent a holding tank replacement, head pump assembly replacement, and shower sump hose clearing to resolve chronic clogs and drainage failures.14:07 On the return trip to San Pedro, the autopilot failed due to suspected saltwater corrosion in the cable, forcing the crew to hand-steer for the final 18-hour leg.19:39 The vessel encountered steep, short-period chop on the nose, which significantly reduced speed over ground.18:16
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